Summer is one of the most valuable times in a hockey player’s year. Fewer games. Fewer distractions. More space to work on your game. But that doesn’t mean just skating for the sake of skating.
If you’re serious about improving, this is your window to slow things down, clean things up, and level up the right parts of your game. Here’s how I recommend approaching it.
1. Have a Purpose Every Time You Step on the Ice
Summer skates are a chance to make real progress—but only if you approach them with intent.
Think about what you’re working on: maybe it’s staying poised under pressure, refining your edgework, or getting more consistent with puck control.
Show up with a plan. A clear focus helps turn ice time into development time.
2. Don’t Chase Ice Time—Chase Intentional Ice Time
More isn’t always better. More on-purpose is better.
Ask yourself:
- Is this skate giving me the right kind of reps?
- Am I getting feedback, or just going through lines?
- Am I being challenged, or coasting through it?
Good development sessions give you structure, feedback, and opportunities to fail and adjust. That’s where the growth is.
3. Master the Basics, Then Layer Complexity
The game isn’t built off highlight-reel moments. It’s built off posture, balance, weight shifts, and puck control under stress.
The foundation matters more than people realize:
- A strong base posture lets you move with the puck, not just around it.
- Shave and slide techniques give you control and deception.
- Puck load patterns set you up to shoot or pass with intent.
Summer is the time to hammer those in. It might not feel flashy—but it pays off in every zone, in every game.
4. Seek Discomfort
If you’re never messing up, you’re not pushing hard enough.
Great players lean into that uncomfortable space—the part of a drill where things break down, and you have to figure it out. That’s where habits get re-wired. That’s how you build trust in your skillset.
5. Take a Holistic Approach
Reps on the ice are just one piece. What you do off the ice ties it all together:
- Incorporate an off-ice strength program with the same focus on purpose and intent.
- Watch video of yourself or others and actually study the movements
- Stickhandle in a mirror, or barefoot to improve balance
- Take two minutes after a skate to ask:
- What did I do well today?
- What frustrated me?
- What will I focus on next session?
This kind of reflection turns average skates into high-quality development days.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be intentional.
Summer gives you a chance to build—not just your shot, or your stride—but your habits. Your discipline. Your confidence.
And if you train with purpose now? You’ll be surprised where your game is by fall.
